Jesus Christ Through the Eyes of the Apostle John Lesson #44 John 18:12 27 // Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-71 Interrogation and More

Jesus Christ Through the Eyes of the Apostle John Lesson #44 John 18:12 27 // Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-71 Interrogation and More Denials Once Jesus was taken off the Mount of Olives and into Jerusalem, the Gospel writers arrange their material somewhat differently... It is necessary to review each in the light of the others to gain a full understanding of how the end of that night and the beginning of the day unfolded... John includes the stop before Annas; the others do not... It is that interrogation and Peter's second and third denials that will be the focus of this lesson... While Annas was no longer the actual high priest (deposed by the Romans in AD 15), he would have remained highly regarded... Some would have felt that since Scripture (Numbers 25:13) described the office as a lifetime appointment... Others may simply have continued to honor him as high priest in much the same way that we continue to use terms like Mr. President or Madam Ambassador even after one no longer holds the position... Please note that John had accompanied Jesus into Annas' inner courtyard... He would have been an eyewitness to what was done and said inside... How do you suppose that he came to know the small details (charcoal fire, door keeper / slave-girl questioning Peter) of what happened in that outer courtyard that night? As you prepare for this lesson, try to imagine that you are one of those in Annas' outer courtyard that night... It was cold... Peter and the others are standing around a charcoal fire (John 18:18) which would have been neither very bright nor very warm... They would have had to stand close together to keep warm... Also, imagine yourself in the inner courtyard as Annas questions Jesus... John remembered all that he had seen and heard that night... What must have been his thoughts, even reaction, when Jesus was slapped by Annas' officer? Simon Peter's denials of Jesus have caused considerable discussion over

the years... Please read the parallel passages (Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; & Luke 22:54-71) to get a more complete picture of those denials through that night... No Gospel writer, John included, was in that outer courtyard when they happened... Each wrote based on second or third-hand reports... How might those different reports have developed before they became part of the Gospels? Plan to discuss your thoughts about them in our class... This passage is from the New English Translation (NET Bible)... Please also refer to the version you usually use for your study... Jesus Before Annas (John 18:12 14) // Matthew 26:57; Mark 14:53; Luke 22:54 12 Then the squad of soldiers with their commanding officer and the officers of the Jewish leaders arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13 They brought him first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 (Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish leaders that it was to their advantage that one man die for the people.) Peter s First Denial (John 18:15 18) // Matthew 26:69-70; Mark 14:66-68; Luke 22:55-57 15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed them as they brought Jesus to Annas. (Now the other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, and he went with Jesus into the high priest s courtyard.) 16 But Simon Peter was left standing outside by the door. So the other disciple who was acquainted with the high priest came out and spoke to the slave girl who watched the door, and brought Peter inside. 17 The girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, You re not one of this man s disciples too, are you? He replied, I am not. 18 (Now the slaves and the guards were standing around a charcoal fire they had made, warming themselves because it was cold. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.) Jesus Questioned by Annas (John 18:19 24) 19 While this was happening, the high priest questioned Jesus about his

disciples and about his teaching. 20 Jesus replied, I have spoken publicly to the world. I always taught in the synagogues and in the temple courts, where all the Jewish people assemble together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said. They know what I said. 22 When Jesus had said this, one of the high priest s officers who stood nearby struck him on the face and said, Is that the way you answer the high priest? 23 Jesus replied, If I have said something wrong, confirm what is wrong. But if I spoke correctly, why strike me? 24 Then Annas sent him, still tied up, to Caiaphas the high priest. Peter s Second and Third Denials (John 18:25 27) // Matthew 26:71-75; Mark 14:69-72 & Luke 22:58-62 25 Meanwhile Simon Peter was standing in the courtyard warming himself. They said to him, You aren t one of his disciples too, are you? Peter denied it: I am not! 26 One of the high priest s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, Did I not see you in the orchard with him? 27 Then Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Study Questions and Thoughts Why did those who arrested Jesus take Him to Annas first rather than to Caiaphas, the true high priest (John 18:13)? Why do you think Annas bothered to question Jesus about His disciples (John 18:19)? Why was it important for Jesus to say that He has spoken and taught in public (John 18:20)? Why did Jesus' question to Annas provoke the officer to strike Him (John 18:21 22)? How would you answer Jesus' question to the officer who struck Him (John 18:23)? How do you think that God intended this passage to affect our daily life today?

Jesus Christ Through the Eyes of the Apostle John Lesson #44 John 18:12 27 // Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-71 Interrogation and More Denials Jesus Before Annas A (John 18:12 14) // Matthew 26:57; Mark 14:53; Luke 22:54 A Capital cases were to be heard by a plurality of judges (according to later tradition, a minimum of twenty-three). No individual could legally act as judge in a capital case, but this law did not stop Annas from exercising his political power and privately interrogating Jesus. Perhaps he would have excused himself by a law that those tried by the supreme Sanhedrin for misleading the people first had to be tried by two lower courts. But that law may be Pharisaic and may be later than the first century, and it is doubtful that Annas is attempting to follow any law. The predominantly Sadducean priestly aristocracy would certainly not follow the Pharisees rules: they had to please the Romans, not the Pharisees. [IVPBBC] Please notice that only John includes the interrogation before Annas... The other three Gospels either name the first stop as Caiaphas (Matthew) or simply say the high priest which technically would have been Caiaphas though Annas was still regarded by many Jews as the proper high priest...

12 Then the squad of soldiers with their commanding officer B and the officers of the Jewish leaders C arrested Jesus and tied him up. D B C D Greek their chiliarch (an officer in command of a thousand soldiers). In Greek the term χιλίαρχος (chiliarcho) literally described the commander of a thousand, but it was used as the standard translation for the Latin tribunus militum or tribunus militaris, the military tribune who commanded a cohort of 600 men. [NET_Bible] Or the Jewish authorities; Greek the Jews. In NT usage the term Ιουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi) may refer to the entire Jewish people, the residents of Jerusalem and surrounding territory, the authorities in Jerusalem, or merely those who were hostile to Jesus. Here the phrase refers to the Jewish leaders, who were named as chief priests and Pharisees in John 18:3. [NET_Bible] The commander in view was the officer in charge of the Roman soldiers. He was evidently the person with the most official authority on the scene. However the Jewish officers (i.e., temple police) also played a part in Jesus' arrest. Perhaps John noted that they bound Jesus in view of Isaiah's prophecy that Messiah's enemies would lead Him as a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus' disciples abandoned Him when His enemies took him into custody (cf. Matthew 26:56; Mark 14:50). [Constable]

13 They brought him first to Annas, E for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. F 14 (Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish leaders that it was to their advantage that one man die for the people.) G E John is the only evangelist who recorded Jesus' interrogation by Annas. It was preliminary to His appearance before Caiaphas and then before the Sanhedrin. [Constable] Annas was high priest from A.D. 6 to 15, when the Romans deposed him. According to Jewish law, the high priest was entitled to rule for life; thus some Jews no doubt considered the Roman deposition of Annas invalid, and he continued to command great respect. He was wealthy and powerful, but later Jewish literature (written by successors of those he opposed) does not speak well of him. The high priesthood had been the most powerful office in Jewish Palestine until the Roman period. [IVPBBC] F G Jesus was taken first to Annas. Only the Gospel of John mentions this pretrial hearing before Annas, and that Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who is said to be high priest in that year. Caiaphas is also mentioned as being highpriest in John 11:49. [NET_Bible] John doubtless identified Caiaphas as he did here to remind his readers of the prediction of Jesus' substitute sacrifice, not just to identify Caiaphas. This identification also makes unnecessary a full recording of the deliberations that led to the Sanhedrin's verdict. That record was already available in the Synoptics and was therefore unnecessary in John's Gospel. [Constable]

Peter s First Denial (John 18:15 18) // Matthew 26:69-70; Mark 14:66-68; Luke 22:55-57 15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed them as they brought Jesus to Annas. H (Now the other disciple I was acquainted with the high priest, and he went with Jesus into the high priest s courtyard.) 16 But Simon Peter was left standing outside by the door. So the other disciple who was acquainted with the high priest came out and spoke to the slave girl who watched the door, and brought Peter inside. 17 The girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, J You re not one of this man s disciples too, H I John weaves together the confrontation between Jesus and Annas and the confrontation going on at the same time between Peter and the people in the courtyard. This textured scene, which shifts between what is going on inside with Jesus and what is going on outside with Peter, is paralleled in the scene that follows by Pilate's encounter with Jesus inside the governor's palace and his dealings with the Jewish opponents outside. Such juxtaposition enables John to make comparisons between Jesus and the other characters in the story. The inner and outer scenes in the story also reflect John's purpose to show us here, as throughout his Gospel, the inner and outer dimensions of the events themselves the eternal reality being manifested in the midst of the world as the Word comes to his own and the eternal significance of the events that unfold. [IVPNTC] Evidently Peter and another disciple had followed the arresting party from Gethsemane back into Jerusalem to the high priests' palace. [Constable] The identity of another disciple in this verse is open to debate... Please see the end notes for a presentation of some of these views... [MRM] J The servant girl recognized the other disciple as one of Jesus' disciples. She asked Peter if he was one too, expecting a negative reply, as the Greek text makes clear. Her question reflected some disdain for Jesus. Peter succumbed to the pressure of the moment and denied his association with Jesus. Peter denied that he was one of Jesus' disciples, not that Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps what he had done to Malchus made him more eager to blend into his surroundings. [Constable]

are you? K He replied, I am not. L 18 (Now the slaves and the guards M were standing around a charcoal fire N they had made, warming themselves because it was cold. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.) K L M N Questions prefaced with μή (mē) in Greek anticipate a negative answer. This can sometimes be indicated by using a tag at the end in English (here the tag is are you? ). [NET_Bible] According to later rabbinic teaching, Jewish people were permitted to deny their Jewishness, especially by evasion, to save their lives. Direct denial that allowed God s name to be reproached, however, was considered shameful. Peter probably does not know these specific rules, but they may illustrate his cultural setting, which did not always regard denial as severely as Jesus regards it. Like most people, Peter is influenced by his culture and does not yet grasp the radical demands of Jesus in practice. [IVPBBC] That is, the guards of the chief priests as distinguished from the household slaves of Annas. [NET_Bible] Peter not only denied Jesus, but He also stood with Jesus' enemies as they warmed themselves in the courtyard of the high priest's large residence. The detail that the fire was a charcoal one will feature later in John's narrative. Such a fire would not have generated much light or heat, so those who wanted to stay warm had to stand close together. [Constable]

Jesus Questioned by Annas O (John 18:19 24) O Back inside, Annas is beginning his interrogation. This is not an actual trial; John has not confused this encounter with the meeting with the Sanhedrin. Here there are no witnesses, no jury and no sentence. This is more like a police interrogation of a newly arrested criminal before any formal trial procedures are begun (Brown [1970] p. 834; cf. [Brown 1994] p. 1:412, 423-25; Robinson [1985] pp. 248-50). Annas asks Jesus about his disciples, reflecting the Sanhedrin's earlier concern over Jesus' popularity, a popularity that can have only increased after Jesus entered Jerusalem attended by a great crowd. Indeed, some of the Pharisees said it looked like the whole world had gone after him. [IVPNTC] Clearly Annas was the (unofficial) high priest who conducted this initial informal inquiry. He probably asked Jesus about His disciples to ascertain the size of His following since one of the religious leaders' chief concerns was the power of Jesus' popularity. Annas' interest in His teachings undoubtedly revolved around who Jesus claimed to be. Both subjects were significant since many of the Jews suspected Jesus of being a political insurrectionist. [Constable]

19 While this was happening, P the high priest questioned Jesus Q about his disciples and about his teaching. R P Q R The changing of scene back and forth was a standard suspense-building technique in ancient novels; then, as today, it was good writing. John does not claim that the high priest here is the official one Rome recognized; like other New Testament writers and Josephus, John follows the common practice of labeling all prominent members of the priestly aristocracy high priests. [IVPBBC] The nature of this hearing seems to be more that of a preliminary [hearing]; certainly normal legal procedure was not followed, for no indication is given that any witnesses were brought forth at this point to testify against Jesus. True to what is known of Annas' character, he was more interested in Jesus' disciples than in the precise nature of Jesus' teaching, since he inquired about the followers first. He really wanted to know just how influential Jesus had become and how large a following he had gathered. This was of more concern to Annas that the truth or falsity of Jesus' teaching. [NET_Bible] Annas also asks Jesus about his teaching. He seems to want Jesus to incriminate himself as a false prophet (Beasley-Murray [1987] pp. 324-25) or at least as a false teacher (Robinson [1985] p. 259; Brown [1994] p. 1:414). But Jesus will not be trapped in this way. Indeed, in later law it was illegal to have an accused person convict himself (Brown [1970] p. 826), and this rule may have applied at this time also. Furthermore, Jesus has already completed his public teaching regarding himself. Only one last statement of Jesus' teaching remains, but that is reserved for the Gentile Pilate. So Jesus tells Annas to check with those who have heard him, since he has taught quite openly. In this way he heightens Annas' anxiety. The very fact that Jesus has spoken openly and that there are plenty of people who are familiar with his teaching is what concerns Annas. That Jesus does nothing to assure Annas that his teaching is kosher would also increase the high priest's fears. Indeed, Jesus shows chutzpah at this point, which is so unlike the way others come cringing before the Sanhedrin (cf. Josephus Antiquities of the Jews 14.172), showing Annas that Jesus is indeed a danger. [IVPNTC]

20 Jesus replied, I have spoken publicly S to the world. I always taught in the synagogues and in the temple courts, where all the Jewish people T assemble together. I have said nothing in secret. U S T U Although rabbis offered particular special teachings only to small groups of disciples (e.g., teachings on creation and on God s throne-chariot), they had a tradition that one must teach the law openly, in contrast to false prophets, who taught in secret. [IVPBBC] Greek the Jews. Here the phrase refers to the Jewish people generally, for whom the synagogues and the temple courts in Jerusalem were important public gathering places. [NET_Bible] Jesus affirmed that He had always taught openly. He had not promoted sedition secretly. He had no secret teaching to hide. Obviously He was not denying that He had taught His disciples privately. He was assuring Annas that His teachings were not subversive. He did not have two types of teaching, a harmless one for the multitudes and a revolutionary one for his disciples. [Morris, p. 670.] He invited Annas to question His hearers, not just His disciples, to determine if He had indeed taught anything for which someone might accuse Him of being disloyal. The testimony of witnesses was an indispensable part of any serious trial in Judaism. [Constable]

21 Why do you ask me? V Ask those who heard W what I said. They know what I said. V W According to what we know of Jewish law, interrogators were not supposed to force the accused to try to convict himself. But if this law is in effect in Jesus day, the priestly aristocracy, upheld by Rome and acting on what they believe to be right for the people, does not concern itself with it. [IVPBBC] Jesus' appeal to the witness of those who had heard him is essentially a demand for a fair trial (Brown [1970] p. 826), since in Jewish law the witnesses are questioned, not the accused (cf. Beasley-Murray [1987] p. 324). Jesus has completed his witness by word. There remains only the climax of all his ministry as he witnesses to the Father through his death, resurrection and ascension. It is now up to those who have heard him to bear witness to him. Such remains the case today. His abiding presence remains with believers, but those who abide in him are to bear witness to him before the world. The author insists that the teaching of Jesus must be known through attention to His disciples, who by the guidance of the Spirit preserve and interpret His words. A true judgement of the world upon the Christ depends upon the fidelity of His disciples (Hoskyns 1940b:610). [IVPNTC]

22 When Jesus had said this, one of the high priest s officers who stood nearby struck X him on the face and said, Is that the way you answer the high priest? Y X The word refers to a hard slap with the palm of the hand... It is the same word that is used in Matthew 5:39 when Jesus taught about turning the other cheek when someone slaps us... [MRM] The officer who struck Jesus was probably one of the Jewish temple police. He interpreted Jesus' response as discourteous and used it as an excuse to strike Him. The Greek word rhapisma translated blow (NASB) means a sharp blow with the palm of the hand. Jesus' response to this attack was logical rather than emotional or physical. He simply appealed for a fair trial. The man who stuck Him was not treating Him fairly. This was a case of police brutality. Jesus had shown no disrespect for Annas. [Constable] Y One of the officials (a servant, hype rete s) hits Jesus and says, Is this the way you answer the high priest? Since Jesus is still bound there is no way for him to defend himself. The more severe abuse that Jesus suffers later before the Sanhedrin is not recounted by John. This blow was more an insult than it was physically damaging (Brown [1970] p. 826). It highlights Jesus' dignity and boldness as well as his respect for the truth, rather than for mere office holders. His reply to the servant stresses this issue of truth: If I said something wrong... testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me? This question applies to all the opposition he has experienced throughout his ministry. [IVPNTC]

23 Jesus replied, If I have said something wrong, confirm what is wrong. Z But if I spoke correctly, why strike me? AA Z In essence, Jesus' question is a final act of grace extended toward a representative of his opponents. But Annas does not accept the offer to consider the truth of Jesus. Instead he sends Jesus, still bound, to Caiaphas. From the Synoptics it seems there was a preliminary phase in which Jesus was taken before Caiaphas and a quorum of the Sanhedrin at night and then a more formal trial at dawn before the full Sanhedrin. John signals where all of this fits in his account, but he does not recount it, presumably having assumed it was familiar to his readers. In John's Gospel, therefore, this scene before Annas is the final encounter between Jesus and his Jewish opponents. A high priest, as Annas is known in this Gospel, has rejected the true high priest. From this point on, all contact between Jesus and his opponents is mediated through Pilate. [IVPNTC] AA Striking a captive was certainly against Jewish law. This act shows how abusive and uninterested in any form of Jewish legality Annas is; his interest in the case is political, not legal. This also fits the picture of the high priests supplied by other minorities in Judaism who did not like them (Pharisees and Essenes). [IVPBBC]

24 Then Annas sent him, still tied up, AB to Caiaphas the high priest. AC AB Annas could not produce anything for which the Sanhedrin could condemn or even charge Jesus. Therefore he sent Jesus to Caiaphas. The descriptions of Jesus' hearings in the Gospels alternate between Jesus' interrogations and Peter's denials. It seems clear therefore that Annas and Caiaphas lived and interviewed Jesus in different parts of the same large residence or palace. Caiaphas had to interview Jesus to bring charges against Him before the Sanhedrin since Caiaphas was the current official high priest. John noted that Jesus remained bound as a criminal even though He had done nothing to warrant physical restraint. [Constable] AC Where was Caiaphas the high priest located? Did he have a separate palace, or was he somewhere else with the Sanhedrin? Since Augustine (4 th century) a number of scholars have proposed that Annas and Caiaphas resided in different wings of the same palace, which were bound together by a common courtyard through which Jesus would have been led as he was taken from Annas to Caiaphas. This seems a reasonable explanation, although there is no conclusive evidence. [NET_Bible]

Peter s Second and Third Denials AD (John 18:25 27) // Matthew 26:71-75; Mark 14:69-72 & Luke 22:58-62 25 Meanwhile Simon Peter was standing in the courtyard warming himself. They said to him, You aren t one of his disciples too, are you? AE Peter denied it: I am not! AF 26 One of the high priest s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, AG said, Did I not see you in the orchard with him? AH AD We can easily blame the high council for their injustice in condemning Jesus, but we must remember that Peter and the rest of the disciples also contributed to Jesus' pain by deserting and denying him. While most of us are not like the religious leaders, we are all like the disciples, for all of us have been guilty of denying that Christ is Lord in vital areas of our lives or of keeping secret our identity as believers in times of pressure. Don't excuse yourself by pointing at others whose sins seem worse than yours. Instead, come to Jesus for forgiveness and healing. [LASB] AE Questions prefaced with μή (mē) in Greek anticipate a negative answer. This can sometimes be indicated by using a tag at the end in English (here the tag is are you? ). [NET_Bible] AF John has constructed a dramatic contrast wherein Jesus stands up to his questioners and denies nothing, while Peter cowers before his questioners and denies everything. [Brown, 2:842.] AG The third questioner was a relative of Malchus whose ear Peter had cut off in Gethsemane. Only John recorded the relationship. This fact supports the view that the other disciple was John. He knew the relationships of people within the high priest's household. [Constable] AH This question, prefaced with οὐκ (ouk) in Greek, anticipates a positive answer. [NET_Bible] Summarizing the three inquiries of Peter as to whether he knew Jesus or not, the slave-girl who was the doorkeeper asked in way that she expected Peter to answer that he did know Jesus... The other people in the courtyard who asked the second question gave Peter the benefit of the doubt and expected his negative answer... The relative of the man who had his ear cut off apparently was one of those in the group that came to arrest Jesus, had actually seen Peter and expected a positive response to his question... [MRM]

27 Then Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed. AI AI The first night cock crowing in Jerusalem occurred by about 12:30 A.M., according to some reports (others place it later), though only night watchmen were awake to hear it (most people went to sleep at sundown). That the rooster crowed to mark the advent of dawn is more widely reported because this was the cock crowing most people knew. In either case the point is that Peter s denial will follow almost immediately after his promise not to deny Jesus. [IVPBBC] It seems most likely that this refers to a real rooster crowing, although a number of scholars have suggested that cockcrow is a technical term referring to the trumpet call which ended the third watch of the night (from midnight to 3:00 A.M.). This would then be a reference to the Roman gallicinium which would have been sounded at 3:00 A.M.; in this case Jesus would have prophesied a precise time by which the denials would have taken place. For more details see J. H. Bernard, St. John (ICC), 2:604. However, in light of the fact that Mark mentions the rooster crowing twice (Mark 14:72) and in Luke 22:60 the words are reversed, it is more probable that a real rooster is in view. In any event natural cockcrow would have occurred at approximately 3:00 A.M. in Palestine at this time of year (March-April) anyway. [NET_Bible]

Other Scripture Related to the Lesson Numbers 25:10-13 JPS And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned My wrath away from the children of Israel, in that he was very jealous for My sake among them, so that I consumed not the children of Israel in My jealousy. 12 Wherefore say: Behold, I give unto him My covenant of peace; 13 and it shall be unto him, and to his seed after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was jealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel. Isaiah 53:7 CJB Though mistreated, he was submissive he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to be slaughtered, like a sheep silent before its shearers, he did not open his mouth. Matthew 5:38-39 NIV You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also... Matthew 27:18-19 HCSB For [Pilate] knew they had handed [Jesus] over because of envy. 19 While he was sitting on the judge's bench, his wife sent word to him, Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I've suffered terribly in a dream because of Him! Luke 13:1 NASB Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. John 6:39 NIV And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. John 7:32-47 GW The Pharisees heard the crowd saying things like this about him. So the chief priests and the Pharisees sent temple guards to arrest Jesus. 33 Jesus said, I will still be with you for a little while. Then I'll go to the one who sent me. 34 You will look for me, but you won't find me. You can't go where I'm going.

35 The Jews said among themselves, Where does this man intend to go so that we won't find him? Does he mean that he'll live with the Jews who are scattered among the Greeks and that he'll teach the Greeks? 36 What does he mean when he says, 'You will look for me, but you won't find me,' and 'You can't go where I'm going'? 37 On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus was standing in the temple courtyard. He said loudly, Whoever is thirsty must come to me to drink. 38 As Scripture says, 'Streams of living water will flow from deep within the person who believes in me.' 39 Jesus said this about the Spirit, whom his believers would receive. The Spirit was not yet evident, as it would be after Jesus had been glorified. 40 After some of the crowd heard Jesus say these words, they said, This man is certainly the prophet. 41 Other people said, This man is the Messiah. Still other people asked, How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 Doesn't Scripture say that the Messiah will come from the descendants of David and from the village of Bethlehem, where David lived? 43 So the people were divided because of Jesus. 44 Some of them wanted to arrest him, but they couldn't. 45 When the temple guards returned, the chief priests and Pharisees asked them, Why didn't you bring Jesus? 46 The temple guards answered, No human has ever spoken like this man. 47 The Pharisees asked the temple guards, Have you been deceived too? John 17:12 NKJV While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 1 Peter 1:10-12 ERV The prophets studied carefully and tried to learn about this salvation. They spoke about the grace that was coming to you. 11 The Spirit of Christ was in those prophets. And the Spirit was telling about the sufferings that would happen to Christ and about the glory that would come after those sufferings. The

prophets tried to learn about what the Spirit was showing them-- when it would happen and what the world would be like at that time. 12 It was made clear to them that their service was not for themselves. They were serving you when they told about the things you have now heard. You heard them from those who told you the Good News with the help of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even the angels would like very much to know more about these things you were told.

End Notes The Last Twenty-Four Hours... The Synoptic Parallel Passages Each of the Gospel writers has written about the action packed last twenty-four hours or so leading up to Jesus' death on the cross... As the story unfolds, please refer to the other Gospels as well as our text in John... Each writer presented the person, life and work of the Lord Jesus Christ from slightly different perspectives and with different audiences in view... The other Gospel records are Matthew 26:17-27:56; Mark 14:12-15:41 & Luke 22:7-23:49... Matthew 26:17 27:56 NET The Passover (Matthew 26:17 25) 17 Now on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and said, Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover? 18 He said, Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, The Teacher says, My time is near. I will observe the Passover with my disciples at your house. 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had instructed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 When it was evening, he took his place at the table with the twelve. 21 And while they were eating he said, I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me. 22 They became greatly distressed and each one began to say to him, Surely not I, Lord? 23 He answered, The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born. 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, Surely not I, Rabbi? Jesus replied, You have said it yourself. The Lord s Supper (Matthew 26:26 30) 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my body. 27 And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, that is poured out for many for the

forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, from now on I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father s kingdom. 30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. The Prediction of Peter s Denial (Matthew 26:31 35) 31 Then Jesus said to them, This night you will all fall away because of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. 32 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee. 33 Peter said to him, If they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away! 34 Jesus said to him, I tell you the truth, on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. 35 Peter said to him, Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you. And all the disciples said the same thing. Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36 46) 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to the disciples, Sit here while I go over there and pray. 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and became anguished and distressed. 38 Then he said to them, My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me. 39 Going a little farther, he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will. 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, So, couldn t you stay awake with me for one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. 42 He went away a second time and prayed, My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will must be done. 43 He came again and found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then he

came to the disciples and said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is approaching, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer is approaching! Betrayal and Arrest (Matthew 26:47 56) 47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 (Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him! ) 49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, Greetings, Rabbi, and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, Friend, do what you are here to do. Then they came and took hold of Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of those with Jesus grabbed his sword, drew it out, and struck the high priest s slave, cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions of angels right now? 54 How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled? 55 At that moment Jesus said to the crowd, Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple courts, yet you did not arrest me. 56 But this has happened so that the scriptures of the prophets would be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him and fled. Condemned by the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57 68) 57 Now the ones who had arrested Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, in whose house the experts in the law and the elders had gathered. 58 But Peter was following him from a distance, all the way to the high priest s courtyard. After going in, he sat with the guards to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were trying to find false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find anything, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came

forward 61 and declared, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. 62 So the high priest stood up and said to him, Have you no answer? What is this that they are testifying against you? 63 But Jesus was silent. The high priest said to him, I charge you under oath by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus said to him, You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and declared, He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Now you have heard the blasphemy! 66 What is your verdict? They answered, He is guilty and deserves death. 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him with their fists. And some slapped him, 68 saying, Prophesy for us, you Christ! Who hit you? Peter s Denials (Matthew 26:69 75) 69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A slave girl came to him and said, You also were with Jesus the Galilean. 70 But he denied it in front of them all: I don t know what you re talking about! 71 When he went out to the gateway, another slave girl saw him and said to the people there, This man was with Jesus the Nazarene. 72 He denied it again with an oath, I do not know the man! 73 After a little while, those standing there came up to Peter and said, You really are one of them too even your accent gives you away! 74 At that he began to curse, and he swore with an oath, I do not know the man! At that moment a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly. Jesus Brought Before Pilate (Matthew 27:1 2) 1 When it was early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to execute him. 2 They tied him up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

Judas Suicide (Matthew 27:3 10) 3 Now when Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus had been condemned, he regretted what he had done and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, I have sinned by betraying innocent blood! But they said, What is that to us? You take care of it yourself! 5 So Judas threw the silver coins into the temple and left. Then he went out and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests took the silver and said, It is not lawful to put this into the temple treasury, since it is blood money. 7 After consulting together they bought the Potter s Field with it, as a burial place for foreigners. 8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: They took the thirty silver coins, the price of the one whose price had been set by the people of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter s field, as the Lord commanded me. Jesus and Pilate (Matthew 27:11 23) 11 Then Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus said, You say so. 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he did not respond. 13 Then Pilate said to him, Don t you hear how many charges they are bringing against you? 14 But he did not answer even one accusation, so that the governor was quite amazed. 15 During the feast the governor was accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd, whomever they wanted. 16 At that time they had in custody a notorious prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. 17 So after they had assembled, Pilate said to them, Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Christ? 18 (For he knew that they had handed him over because of envy.) 19 As he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a message to him: Have nothing to do with that innocent man; I have suffered greatly as a result of a dream about him today. 20 But

the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus killed. 21 The governor asked them, Which of the two do you want me to release for you? And they said, Barabbas! 22 Pilate said to them, Then what should I do with Jesus who is called the Christ? They all said, Crucify him! 23 He asked, Why? What wrong has he done? But they shouted more insistently, Crucify him! Jesus is Condemned and Mocked (Matthew 27:24 31) 24 When Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but that instead a riot was starting, he took some water, washed his hands before the crowd and said, I am innocent of this man s blood. You take care of it yourselves! 25 In reply all the people said, Let his blood be on us and on our children! 26 Then he released Barabbas for them. But after he had Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified. 27 Then the governor s soldiers took Jesus into the governor s residence and gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe around him, 29 and after braiding a crown of thorns, they put it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand, and kneeling down before him, they mocked him: Hail, king of the Jews! 30 They spat on him and took the staff and struck him repeatedly on the head. 31 When they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. The Crucifixion (Matthew 27:32 44) 32 As they were going out, they found a man from Cyrene named Simon, whom they forced to carry his cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of the Skull ) 34 and offered Jesus wine mixed with gall to drink. But after tasting it, he would not drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided his clothes by throwing dice. 36 Then they sat down and kept guard over him there. 37 Above his head they put the charge against him, which read: This is Jesus, the king of the Jews. 38 Then two outlaws were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

39 Those who passed by defamed him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, You who can destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are God s Son, come down from the cross! 41 In the same way even the chief priests together with the experts in the law and elders were mocking him: 42 He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the king of Israel! If he comes down now from the cross, we will believe in him! 43 He trusts in God let God, if he wants to, deliver him now because he said, I am God s Son! 44 The robbers who were crucified with him also spoke abusively to him. Jesus Death (Matthew 27:45 56) 45 Now from noon until three, darkness came over all the land. 46 At about three o clock Jesus shouted with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, This man is calling for Elijah. 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the rest said, Leave him alone! Let s see if Elijah will come to save him. 50 Then Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. 51 Just then the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks were split apart. 52 And tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had died were raised. 53 (They came out of the tombs after his resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.) 54 Now when the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and what took place, they were extremely terrified and said, Truly this one was God s Son! 55 Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and given him support were also there, watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Mark 14:12 15:41 NET The Passover (Mark 14:12 21) 12 Now on the first day of the feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus' disciples said to him, Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover? 13 He sent two of his disciples and told them, Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, 'The Teacher says, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? ' 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there. 16 So the disciples left, went into the city, and found things just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 17 Then, when it was evening, he came to the house with the twelve. 18 While they were at the table eating, Jesus said, I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me will betray me. 19 They were distressed, and one by one said to him, Surely not I? 20 He said to them, It is one of the twelve, one who dips his hand with me into the bowl. 21 For the Son of Man will go as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had never been born. The Lord s Supper (Mark 14:22 26) 22 While they were eating, he took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it, gave it to them, and said, Take it. This is my body. 23 And after taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, "This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, that is poured out for many. 25 I tell you the truth, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 26 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. The Prediction of Peter s Denial (Mark 14:27 31) 27 Then Jesus said to them, You will all fall away, for it is written,

'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' 28 But after I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee. 29 Peter said to him, Even if they all fall away, I will not! 30 Jesus said to him, I tell you the truth, today this very night before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times. 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you. And all of them said the same thing. Gethsemane (Mark 14:32 42) 32 Then they went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, Sit here while I pray. 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and became very troubled and distressed. 34 He said to them, My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay alert. 35 Going a little farther, he threw himself to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour would pass from him. 36 He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will. 37 Then he came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn't you stay awake for one hour? 38 Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. 39 He went away again and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came again he found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. And they did not know what to tell him. 41 He came a third time and said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough of that! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let us go. Look! My betrayer is approaching!

Betrayal and Arrest (Mark 14:43 52) 43 Right away, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. With him came a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent by the chief priests and experts in the law and elders. 44 (Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The one I kiss is the man. Arrest him and lead him away under guard. ) 45 When Judas arrived, he went up to Jesus immediately and said, Rabbi! and kissed him. 46 Then they took hold of him and arrested him. 47 One of the bystanders drew his sword and struck the high priest's slave, cutting off his ear. 48 Jesus said to them, Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw? 49 Day after day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, yet you did not arrest me. But this has happened so that the scriptures would be fulfilled. 50 Then all the disciples left him and fled. 51 A young man was following him, wearing only a linen cloth. They tried to arrest him, 52 but he ran off naked, leaving his linen cloth behind. Condemned by the Sanhedrin (Mark 14:53 65) 53 Then they led Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests and elders and experts in the law came together. 54 And Peter had followed him from a distance, up to the high priest's courtyard. He was sitting with the guards and warming himself by the fire. 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find anything. 56 Many gave false testimony against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands and in three days build another not made with hands.' 59 Yet even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, Have you no answer? What is this that they are testifying against you? 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest questioned him, Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?